Date; 08/08/2023
By; Dan Wambua
Niamey, Niger. Amid escalating tensions following months
coup in Niger, the leaders of the junta have rejected Victoria Nulands attempts
to meet with the ousted president and advocate for the restoration of
governance. Nuland, the acting deputy secretary of state of the United States visited
Niamey. Held a two-hour meeting with officers, including Brigadier General
Moussa Salaou Barmou, who is now serving as the military chief of staff.
However, her requests to meet with General Abdourahamane Tiani, the self-proclaimed
leader of Niger, and Mohamed Bazoum the detained elected president were turned
down by the junta.
Nuland described her discussions as "frank and
difficult" when speaking to reporters. She expressed her concern about
returning Niger to rule. Conveyed that the United States is willing to assist
in facilitating a return to constitutional order. Despite this offer of help
from the United States, there was no indication, from the junta that they would
accept assistance.
The coup leaders' intransigence has raised apprehensions
within the international community. The Economic Community of West African
States (Ecowas) is convening to discuss potential actions, including military
intervention, should President Bazoum not be reinstated by the previously set
deadline.
Nuland also highlighted the potential consequences for
Niger's relations with the United States if the junta were to further align
with Russia's Wagner mercenaries, as neighboring Mali had done.
While Nuland expressed hope that diplomacy remains a viable
path, tensions continue to escalate. The junta recently closed Niger's
airspace, citing the threat of foreign military intervention. This move
followed reports of pre-deployed forces in nearby Central African countries in
preparation for potential intervention.
The Ecowas summit on Thursday will address the situation,
although divisions within the bloc have emerged due to support for the coup
leaders from Mali and Burkina Faso, both Ecowas members. These alliances have
complicated the region's response to the crisis.
The coup's repercussions extend beyond Niger's borders, impacting the entire Sahel region. Given the nation's strategic significance, owing to its uranium and oil resources and its involvement in the fight against Islamist extremists, global powers like the US, Europe, China, and Russia are closely monitoring the situation.
Amidst the turmoil, President Bazoum has called upon the
international community to aid in restoring constitutional order. His
democratic election two years ago earned him recognition as a crucial ally in
the fight against regional extremism.
Gen Dominique Trinquand, a former French military
representative at the UN, characterized the junta as "isolated." The
withdrawal of aid, including electricity supply from Nigeria, and the
suspension of development aid from France to Burkina Faso, underscore the
isolation and consequences faced by the junta.
As the world watches, the fragile balance between democracy
and military rule hangs in the balance, with the future of Niger at stake. The
outcome of these diplomatic and strategic maneuvers will undoubtedly shape the
trajectory of events in the Sahel region and beyond.
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